Cold Weather and Winter Thyroid Concerns

Is your thyroid ready for cold winter temperatures? If you are hypothyroid, cold weather can have a number of effects on your thyroid treatment, and can cause symptoms such as winter depression, and cold hands and feet. Let’s explore how to best weather the winter chill as a thyroid patient.

Your dosage of thyroid medication may need to be adjusted

Your thyroid is a key player in your body’s thermoregulation — the process of maintaining a normal body temperature. The typical resting body temperature for adults is 98.6 Fahrenheit and 37 degrees Celsius.

For someone with a normally functioning thyroid, as temperatures drop, TSH levels increase. As a result, the production of thyroid hormone typically increases slightly to help compensate for exposure to the cold. If you are hypothyroid, and rely on thyroid hormone replacement medication such as levothyroxine or natural desiccated thyroid, the TSH can rise in response to cold temperatures. Even if you still have a semi-functional thyroid gland, however, it may not be capable of ramping up the production of the hormone on its own to maintain your body temperature.

This increase in TSH can be accompanied by common hypothyroidism symptoms, such as fatigue, depression, brain fog, and weight gain. You may also notice that you feel especially intolerant of the cold, and feel like your hands and feet, in particular, are susceptible to the cold temperatures.

In addition to optimizing your thyroid treatment during the winter, one of the most effective treatments for SAD is light therapy. This involves a daily session sitting in front of a special light that filters out ultraviolet rays and delivers 10,000 lux of cool-white fluorescent light, a level that is 20 times normal indoor lighting.

Some people with SAD also find that outdoor exposure to sunlight helps. You can take a daily walk during midday and/or drive with your window open to get some daily outdoor light. Remember to avoid sunglasses during that time, as they can block the SAD-fighting benefits of outdoor light.

If your SAD doesn’t respond to light therapy, in some cases, antidepressant medication can be helpful. You should also get your vitamin D levels checked, and supplement with vitamin D if they are not optimal.

If you have autoimmune thyroid disease, you are at higher risk of Raynaud’s syndrome

If your hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease, you are at higher risk of other autoimmune conditions, including Raynaud's phenomenon. (It is also frequently spelled Reynaud's). Raynaud’s interferes with the flow of blood to your fingers, toes, nose, and ears, which can make you especially sensitive to the cold.

In more severe cases of Raynaud’s, doctors may prescribe medications, including calcium channel blockers and/or antidepressants.

An important note: If you have Raynaud's but have not yet been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, ask your healthcare provider for a complete thyroid evaluation.Experts feel that the relationship between the two conditions is significant enough to warrant thyroid screening in people diagnosed with Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Mary Shomon is a patient advocate and New York Times bestselling author who empowers readers with information on thyroid and autoimmune disease, diabetes, weight loss and hormonal health from an integrative perspective. Mary has been a leading force advocating for more effective, patient-centered hormonal healthcare. Mary also co-stars in PBS’ Healthy Hormones TV series.